Tracking Beats Loud or Low???

Whenever i track out my mpc 1000 beats i usually keep some headroom so i can boost it later with plug-ins .Recently i made a 2track mix and i couldnt get it loud for the life of me after i compressed and put a limiter on the master.Dont get me wrong tho i do track out individually but if i wanna make a quick beat cd/rough mix i always 2track.Should i record louder??? or should i turn down my mpc 1000 and boost up my 003 preamps?? Whats the best way??

I do a lot of two tracking until the beat is definitely going to be purchased, or used by someone.

Get your beat knockin in your cans straight out of the box... then track at (peak) -2 db. compress lightly, but with a hard knee, and a steep cut, but not that much on the threshold (-5 max), and add a little gain. Run a master track EQ, and a reverb bussed to an aux track (with not that much send/wetness)... -2 db master track limiter with a fast and loud setting.

it should be all good then.